SLSWMA step-ups by adding pyrolysis units to make St Lucia landfill-free by 2030

St Lucia: The Solid Waste Management Authority of St Lucia stepped up by taking significant measure by adding pyrolysis units to develop solid waste disposal on the island.

Given the thrust towards St Lucia’s new waste management system. Moreover, a policy decision was adopted to make St Lucia a “landfill-free by 2030.”

The first phase towards achieving this included the termination of landfilling at Vieux-Fort Solid Waste Management Factory in 2019, which was well-beyond it’s operational limits.

The following remarkable step was to commissioning and operationalizing four pyrolysis units at the Vieux-Fort transfer facility.

Now it runs on pyrolysis where there is an ample amount of oxygen brought in to interact with the initial flame of start, and chamber temperature goes up. The potential of chambers can go up to 1100 degree celsius temperature.

At, 1100, degree celsius (based on the quantity of waste) can be treated within 45-60 minutes. At the intervening process, the waste will be processed in the chamber. Then emissions will be brought through the scrubber system and filtration system via a novel system introduced in the factory.

The Solid Waste Management Authority of St Lucia’s objective is to decentralize the waste disposal in the south the operating cost for none of the aforementioned.

Justin Sealy, General Manager of SLSWMA, stated, “earlier the operating cost of treatment machines was estimated in the range of 5000 eastern Caribbean dollars per month along with labour cost and electricity plus water and other commodities too.”

Furthermore, he added, “however, there is no need for high maintenance battle of trying to find another 30 acres of land in the next 20 years.

The implementation of this new technology will enhance to treat the disposal without ashes and can be transferred to the north in small amounts. The cost of transportation will be no much and affordable. It will save the labour cost and help that capital to invest in other means.

Additionally, On 15 February 2019, The Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority (SLSWMA) has halted all garbage disposal activities at the Vieux Fort landfill. This is the first phase toward a landfill-free Saint Lucia by 2030.

The second phase was expected to commence in February 2020 and involves introducing pyrolysis units specially designed for the disintegration of waste.

Roger Lawrence reported about the Solid Waste Management Authority’s new plan of action.

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